willow pattern

American  

noun

1. a decorative design in English ceramics, depicting chiefly a willow tree, small bridge, and two birds, derived from Chinese sources and introduced in approximately 1780: often executed in blue and white but sometimes in red and white.

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willow pattern British  

noun

1. 1. a pattern incorporating a willow tree, river, bridge, and figures, typically in blue on a white ground, used on pottery and porcelain

   2. ( as modifier )

      a willow-pattern plate

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Etymology

Origin of willow pattern

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Florence Evans grew up near the river in Southwest London and fell in love with mudlarking as a child, having a keen eye for collecting willow pattern fragments of blue and white china.

From BBC

She uses a metal detector, alongside her eyes and a trowel, to find shards of pottery such as this, painted with a willow pattern.

From BBC

The classic Willow pattern, which is based on a famous Mandarin fable, was created and popularized by a British porcelainmaker.

From Architectural Digest

Dawkins is an experienced lecturer, debater and public speaker, but has not appeared in a theatrical production since taking a leading role in Cecil Cook's comic operetta The Willow Pattern at the age of 13.

From The Guardian

Nails give clues to the type of beams used in the house, while plates with the famous blue willow pattern show what the family would have eaten off.

From BBC